Black Cat café image

Black Cat café

Restaurant Cafe Vegan restaurant

Bohemian, volunteer-run vegan cafe with banquette, sofas and mismatched tables. People often mention vegan, portions, good, delicious, cafe, great, London, friendly, menu, tasty,


Address

76A Clarence Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 8HB, United Kingdom

Contact

+44 20 8985 7091

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (865 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: 11:30 AM to 4 PM
  • Friday: (Good Friday), 11:30 AM to 4 PM, Hours might differ
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: vegan (18) portions (13) good (12) delicious (11) cafe (11) great (10) London (8) friendly (8) menu (8) tasty (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Whitney B. 1 year ago on Google • 33 reviews
    Absolutely great. My favourite place to eat in London. Food is fantastic, portions are huge, lots of options, great vibe, great value, and great ethos. I always leave so full, and for half the price of anywhere else. The meals usually come with tonnes of salads and bits too. Really appreciate it. The kitchen and people that work there do an amazing job.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Caïna V. 1 year ago on Google • 626 reviews
    I absolutely love this place! I’ve been coming since it was Pogo and I’ve always enjoyed their food and ethic. The place is full of the diversity of Hackney, reasonably priced as the portions are large! Staff are super friendly. Get down early for an epic Sunday breakfast, you won’t be disappointed!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sue V. 2 years ago on Google • 552 reviews
    Food in this café is fresh, tasty and simply delicious. Portions are generous and ingredients clearly quality and fresh. We came here first about 4 years ago and there was a more extensive menu there and more traditional health vegan food so when yesterday we saw the smaller menu with what looked more liked the current trend for “dirty” fast vegan food I felt disappointed. When the food arrived those thoughts changed fast as there is nothing “fast” food about their sandwiches, salad and chips. I had the chick-pea tuna melt toastie and it was packed full of a delicious mix that was exactly like a tuna melt but not soggy, nor too full of mayo. Perfect texture, balance and seasoning. My husband had the Seitan deli sandwich and was equally delighted. Chips were lovely too. We visited on a Monday lunchtime and cafe was full. Great atmosphere and a trendy vibe. We’ll be back.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stella S. 10 months ago on Google • 72 reviews
    Cannot fault this place on anything. Undoubtedly and reliably the best vegan restaurant in London by FAR. The food is served in MASSIVE bowls, such big portions for reasonable prices... And we almost always have leftovers to take away. The quality of the food, the flavours, the offerings are fantastic and unique. I'm absolutely addicted to the salads. In addition to an amazing menu they always have tons of savoury pastries and pies for a quick grab-and-go. Delicious cold drinks. And good rock/punk music playing. Perfection.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cheryl S. 4 years ago on Google • 473 reviews
    Food is absolutely flavourful, wholesome and delicious! Very hearty portions with quality ingredients, so it’s worth the price. Staff are friendly and helpful. Cosy, airy cafe yet professional. The kind of vegan cafe that makes it easier to eat healthy and lower one’s carbon footprint as their foods are tasty and addictive, and with the spacious, comfortable and communal style space they proffer.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hetal U. 5 years ago on Google • 16 reviews
    Cosy Vegan Cafe, one of the best vegan places I have ever been to. This cafe has a relaxed atmosphere with about 7 main dishes to choose from. We went for the beef burger and the lasagna. Both came with a fresh salad. Both dishes were extremely tasty and hearty. Have to say it's probably the best burger I have ever had! Had a mango and raspberry pastry to follow. Was slightly dry but still great tasting. Loved this place. Will be back to try the breakfast soon.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Louie Abu W. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice place with delicious food! The meals are quite big. We got the English breakfast and camembert sandwich and both were really good!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maninderpal M. 2 years ago on Google
    Love this place. Delicious food with generous portions. Such a relaxed atmosphere. Want to eat everything off the menu!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Talisa 7 months ago on Google • 89 reviews
    Great and comfy spot for a nice vegan british style breakfast on the weekends. Great service. Good prices. Delicious food. We had the British breakfast, a sausage roll and the apple pie. Everything was delicious. Would come back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Xenia K. 9 months ago on Google • 49 reviews
    We was the first time here because we searched for a vegan brunch, the menu looked good so we decided to visit the place. You can order your Food and drink on the front and pay ,then the food will be brought to you at the table. The range of the menu was very good and the prices were very moderate!! And the portions are so big! They made everything fresh and the presentation of the meals are incredibly pretty! The staff is very friendly and the decoration of the restaurant was very minimalistic but incredibly cute❤️ we will definitely come back for another brunch if we have the opportunity
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Evan W. 2 months ago on Google • 16 reviews New
    had the “chicken” salad & chickpea curry! the “chicken” was INCREDIBLE and the salad had lots of texture & a good dressing! crunchy and amazing. best not-chicken fillet i’ve ever had i think
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jacqueline O. 2 years ago on Google
    Friendly staff warm welcome even for my German shepherd .
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Theo R. 2 years ago on Google
    Friendly and unpretentious, huge portions of food. I had the tofu burger with chunky chips cooked to perfection.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 J B. 2 years ago on Google
    Had a lovely "chicken" burger that was very flavoursome! Also a cappuccino, choc and PB milkshake and a choc and PB brownie, all really delicious! Would happily come back to support comrades making delicious food! 😀
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nicola K. 2 years ago on Google
    Awesome seitan toastie. Generous portions too! Very friendly place. They were happy for us to use laptops to get some admin sorted whilst we finished our drinks (mid week and restaurant not busy - we checked with staff they were happy before use). Would definitely recommend!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Russell B. 4 years ago on Google
    Cosy, friendly, tasty. Great ethics, workers cooperative, vegan, upholds values. Coffee not great but food really was. Filling, large portions and tasty. Been several times and I’m never disappointed. In the summer the windows open up and you can sit on a coffee bag in the window sill and chill. Relaxed vibe.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David B. 3 months ago on Google • 11 reviews New
    So good, Best Vegan cafe in London, food is an amazing here with a great home made feel and big portions. Staff are all great. Beautiful idea of a collective, oldest Vegan cafe I know of and still going strong. Says it all. Please open evenings again ♥️

  • 5/5 Ben 1 year ago on Google • 5 reviews
    Das Ambiente ist so schön einfach und natürlich, dass man sich wohlfühlt. Es ist sehr gepflegt und es wird sich um die Menschen gekümmert - die Kunden und Spenden an Menschen, die das Geld benötigen! Essen war selbstgemacht und lecker für günstiges Geld. Und am besten alles vegane Alternativen, wo jeder noch was neues entdecken kann!

  • 5/5 Becca 4 years ago on Google
    Deeelicious vegan food! Visited a few weeks ago and enjoyed my late lunch :) a very relaxed and laid back atmosphere too. It’s maybe not the most aesthetically pleasing but the food makes up for it. The only negative was my boyfriend said his oat milk coffee didn’t taste great, but I’m more of a tea lover and so this wouldn’t put me off coming back to eat all the food... (and more tea ;)).

  • 4/5 A. c. 2 years ago on Google
    Used to come here when it was the good old Pogo cafe, way before veganism became trendy. If memory serves correctly it used to be run by volounteers. Can not say that it has changed a lot. Overall a very good place to go but the reason for the 4 stars is that the service can a bit a bit hit and miss. Still worthy of a visit.

  • 5/5 José O. 2 years ago on Google
    Easily the best vegan place in London. Amazing people, ethical and sustainable business model and the food will simply blow your mind!

  • 5/5 Jana K. 2 years ago on Google
    The food is always so good! Love going here. Also a lovely atmosphere and kind, welcoming staff.

  • 5/5 Neen S. 3 months ago on Google New
    I have been coming to this place for years and I love the food and what they stand for! The RISO prints on the wall are super cool. The prices are fair for the amount and quality of food served ✨

  • 5/5 Lucy J. 8 months ago on Google
    The food is always impeccable, the portion sizes are generous and each dish really does taste like it’s prepared with love and thought. I always find myself eating there when I crave comforting food that tastes homely - but is generally good for all occasions (highly recommend taking the salad to Hackney Downs on a sunny day too!) The cafe’s vibe is warm, friendly and community/focused. The coffee is always awesome & if you have room for cake/ pastry you’re in for a real treat! One of the most reasonably priced and down to earth all vegan spots in London. Thanks for nourishing me Black Cat x

  • 4/5 Kalyani G. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice cozy place. I liked the vegan food here. I hope they increase their options as having good number of options always make you feel hungrier!

  • 5/5 Kimia G. 2 years ago on Google
    The most delicious milkshake! Plenty of places to both sit in and wait for food, friendly service and a lot of food choices. Will be back!

  • 5/5 james h. 2 years ago on Google
    Excellent food, big portions, filling, healthy and varied. Super tasty! (Guiltily surprised as am a non-vegan)

  • 4/5 Jennifer S. 1 year ago on Google
    Fantastic place with comfortable wooden seating benches, pillows along the windows seating, eclectic posters and decor and buzzy but not overtly loud or obnoxious convo happening. Although £12 for my lentil burger made me blanche, the generous sides of salad and housemade slaw (I asked for no fries nor burger bun) made it all worth it. There’s so much on the plate I boxed half for home (I had drank a smoothie before I had arrived here). The slaw in particular is divine: it doesn’t have that gross mayo gloppiness I usually despise. It’s quite fresh. There’s a lovely vinaigrette on the greens and the burger has a moreish artichoke sauce. The staff is friendly as are the customers; dog-friendly too!

  • 5/5 classless m. 2 years ago on Google
    My favourite vegan cafe in all of London. Been coming to this café for a number of years. The food is great value and high quality! I miss the book selection as they have had to reduce the non food section but some literature is available still. Check out the vintage Profane Existence zines while eating some delicious setain.

  • 5/5 Kelly 4 years ago on Google
    Probs one of my favorite brunch spots in London! This restaurant is all vegan so I love that I can get every thing on the menu. I always go for the fry up (they only serve this on weekends). It’s so delicious! I’m not usually a baked beans fan but I end up devouring the beans they use here. The tofu scramble is also seasoned well and I think they make their on mock meat! Which is cool. The potatoes are also nice and crispy. You can either choose to have a pancake or toast and I always go for a pancake! I feel like £9 is a reasonable price for all this vegan goodness in London! I’ve also had the curry here for dinner and it was also nice and filling! The cafe is located in a quiet part of hackney in the middle of a lot of houses, so it’s quite peaceful. They also have a variety of vegan baked goods at the front counter which look amazing!

  • 5/5 James S. 2 years ago on Google
    Wow, that was amazing, and will be returning. Great food, fill your belly portions and lovely staff. 5⭐ Vegan spot.

  • 5/5 S M. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely outstanding food. I got the noodles and I was amazed by the quality and how well the flavours mixed together. The fishless bites were actually incredible and they do indexes taste like fish! The price is fair, especially if you considered how generous the portions.

  • 5/5 Valeria 2 years ago on Google
    Lovely vegan cafe, the menu changes often but the food is always lovely! No alcohol, but they have hot beverages and soft drink.

  • 4/5 Kay K. 2 years ago on Google
    Had my birthday brunch in Black Cat, I had the Caribbean style curry, it was nice, but wasn't very 'Caribbean' except for the fried plantain that accompanied it. The portion sizes were HUGE, I don't think that any of us were able to finish the whole meal. It's in a strange place, you wouldn't really expect it. I will definitely go back.

  • 5/5 Elizabeth M. 1 month ago on Google • 1 review New
    I’m not massively into vegan food, but I have voluntarily taken myself to Black Cat for lunch twice now and have consistently been blown away by their delicious food, warm service and comforting atmosphere. The food comes really quickly and is always very hot and incredibly tasty - exactly what one needs on a cold winter’s day. Highly recommend!! Also their oat flat whites are so good (again, this is from a predominantly dairy milk drinker).


Call +44 20 8985 7091 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Healthy options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✗ Delivery

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